Delegation and Administration of Clearing Permit Applications
On 1 July 2005, the Director Environment Division and separately the Deputy Director General Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) were delegated powers under Section 20 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA), by the Chief Executive Officer, Department of Environment (now part of the Department of Environment & Conservation). These powers delegated the responsibility for administering, assessing and issuing permits for mineral and petroleum activities regulated under the Mining Act 1978 (WA), Petroleum Act 1967 (Cwlth), Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 (WA), Petroleum Pipelines Act 1969 (WA), and activities under State Agreements administered by DMP in Western Australia.
Delegation of Clearing Permit Applications for Mineral and Petroleum Activities
This delegation was supported by an Administrative Agreement (available as a Document Link to the right) which established a process for the management of clearing permit applications. Both Departments have committed to working cooperatively to ensure applications for approval in relation to mineral and petroleum activities are assessed efficiently and effectively while ensuring that biodiversity, land and water resources are not adversely affected.
The Environment Division's Native Vegetation Assessment Branch is the initial contact point in any mineral or petroleum activity clearing permit applications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Native Vegetation Assessment Branch staff before submitting a clearing application.
Application forms are provided on the Department of Environment & Conservation's website (see Related Links to the right). Once fully completed the application form and attached fees should be forwarded to:
Program Manager
Native Vegetation Assessment Branch
Mineral House
100 Plain Street
EAST PERTH WA 6004
This office is responsible for administration, assessment and clearing permit decisions but will maintain a close relationship with DEC Native Vegetation with regard to legislative and policy direction changes.
It is anticipated that clearing permit application forms will be submitted as part of the Mining Proposal, Program of Works, and the Environmental Management Plan documentation where appropriate. This will allow for the processing of clearing permit applications with timeframes consistent with other environmental requirements under the Mining Act 1978 (WA) and the various Petroleum Acts regulated by the Environment Division.
For each clearing permit application it is important that applicants include:
- A fully completed application form with the prescribed fee
- Supporting documentation in regard to the 10 clearing principles under Schedule 5 of the Environmental Protection Act, identifying how the proposal affects these principles and what management practices will be adopted to mitigate any environmental impacts
- Referencing of the source and adequacy of any technical advice and supporting information (such as consultant reports)
- Where possible, a digital map on CDROM indicating the proposed clearing area in relation to the Mining Act tenement or Petroleum Acts title areas. The following formats are preferred: ESRI shape files (*.shp); ESRI personal geodatabases (*mdb); Mapinfo export format (mif/mid); Mapinfo tables (*.tab); Microstation (*.dgn); and Autocad (*dxf)
- A letter of authority if a person is signing on behalf of a company or incorporated body
Please note that other formats are accepted but will require GIS translation which will result in processing delays.
In terms of processing your applications it would be advantageous to provide the above information electronically on a CD together with a hard copy of the completed application form.
The above information will assist the Native Vegetation Assessment Branch staff in processing and assessing the merits of the clearing permit application.
Clearing permit applications will be determined in accordance with current legal requirements, relevant Government policy and provision of technical advice and expertise from key Government authorities with fairness and consistency in assessment methodology and timeliness of decisions for all industry proponents.
